Settlement apparatus, control program therefor, and checkout system

ABSTRACT

A settlement apparatus in an embodiment includes a settling section, a discharging section, an article detecting section, and a processing section. The settling section performs settlement processing for settlement concerning a commercial transaction. The discharging section discharges a prescribed article to a receiving section after the end of the settlement processing by the settling section. The article detecting section detects remaining of the article in the receiving section. The processing section performs, if the article detecting section detects the remaining of the article at a point in time when a prescribed time elapses after the article is discharged by the discharging section, predetermined processing for making it possible to check the remaining of the article afterwards.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 15/285,566filed on Oct. 5, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2015-201045, filed Oct. 9, 2015, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a settlement apparatus,a control program therefor, and a checkout system.

BACKGROUND

A settlement apparatus for a settler to act as an operator and performsettlement sometimes discharges an article such as change or a creditcard after the end of the settlement. The article discharged in this wayshould be removed by the operator.

However, the operator sometimes forgets to take the discharged article.In this case, a store clerk needs to collect and store the article leftuntaken. Therefore, labor for management of the article occurs.

Under such circumstances, it has been desired that the labor formanagement of the untaken article can be reduced.

JP-A-2004-237910 and JP-A-2010-237910 are examples of the related art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a self-checkoutapparatus according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the self-checkoutapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part circuit configuration ofthe self-checkout apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of control processing by a CPU shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an untaken article slip;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main part circuit configuration of aself-checkout system according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of control processing by a CPU included in asettlement apparatus shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of control processing by a CPU included in anattendant apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a settlement apparatus includesa settling section, a discharging section, an article detecting section,and a recording section. The settling section performs settlementprocessing for settlement concerning a commercial transaction. Thedischarging section discharges a prescribed article to a receivingsection concerning the settlement processing by the settling section.The article detecting section detects remaining of the article in thereceiving section. The recording section records, if the articledetecting section detects the remaining of the article at a point intime when a prescribed time elapses after the article is discharged bythe discharging section, information indicating the article inassociation with identification information for identifying thecommercial transaction.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment is explained with reference to the drawings. Notethat, in the first embodiment, a self-checkout apparatus includingfunctions of a settlement apparatus is explained as an example.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a self-checkoutapparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspectiveview showing a part of the self-checkout apparatus 100. Note that theself-checkout apparatus 100 in the first embodiment is also called aself-checkout type POS terminal or a self-register apparatus. Theself-checkout apparatus 100 is operated by a shopper. Therefore, theshopper is an operator of the self-checkout apparatus 100.

The self-checkout apparatus 100 includes a main body 1 and measuringunits 2 and 3.

The main body 1 includes a touch panel 10, a scanner window 11, a handyscanner 12, a receipt issue port 13, a card insertion port 14, a coininput tray 15, a change tray 16, a reject tray 17, a bill insertion port18, a bill discharge port 19, and a patrol lamp 20.

The touch panel 10 displays various screens for informing the shopper ofvarious kinds of information. Examples of the screens include (1) aguidance screen for informing the shopper of an operation method, (2) aninformation input screen for inputting information concerningcommodities not affixed with barcodes, (3) a read-information displayscreen for displaying information based on barcode reading, and (4) anadjustment screen for displaying a total purchase amount, a depositamount, a change amount, and the like in payment work for paying apurchase price. A part of the screens configures a GUI (graphical userinterface). The touch panel 10 receives touch operation for operation ofthe GUI.

The scanner window 11 is formed by covering an opening formed in themain body 1 with transparent resin, glass or the like. The scannerwindow 11 makes it possible to scan, with a fixed scanner disposed onthe inside of the main body 1, a commodity held in front of the scannerwindow 11 by the shopper. The fixed scanner is explained below.

The handy scanner 12 reads a barcode displayed on a commodity andoutputs information represented by the barcode.

The receipt issue port 13 is a silt-like opening for discharging areceipt to the outside of the main body 1.

The card insertion port 14 is a slit-like opening for inserting a cardinto the inside of the main body 1 and discharging the card to theoutside of the main body 1.

The coin input tray 15 receives coins input by the shopper foradjustment. An opening 15 a is formed on the bottom surface of the coininput tray 15. The coins received by the coin input tray 15 are takeninto the inside of the main body 1 from the opening 15 a.

The change tray 16 receives coins discharged from the main body 1 aschange. The coins discharged as the change are an example of an articledischarged after the end of settlement processing. The change tray 16 isan example of a receiving section.

The reject tray 17 receives coins discharged from the main body 1 asunusable coins.

The bill insertion port 18 is a slit-like opening for taking, into theinside of the main body 1, bills inserted by the shopper for adjustment.

The bill discharge port 19 is a slit-like opening for discharging billsfrom the main body 1 as change. The bill discharge port 19 holds thebills in a state in which a part of the bills is projected to theoutside of the main body 1. The bills discharged as the change are anexample of an article discharged after the end of the settlementprocessing. The bill discharge port 19 is an example of the receivingsection.

The patrol lamp 20 performs a flashing operation for warning.

The measuring unit 2 includes a table 2 a for placing unregisteredcommodities. The measuring unit 2 measures total weight of thecommodities placed on the table 2 a.

The measuring unit 3 includes tables 3 a and 3 b for placing registeredcommodities and an arm 3 c for hanging a bag in which the registeredcommodities are put. The measuring unit 3 measures total weight of thecommodities placed on the tables 3 a and 3 b and the commodities put inthe bag hung on the arm 3 c.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part circuit configuration ofthe self-checkout apparatus 100. Note that parts same as the parts shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and signs.Detailed explanation of the parts is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the self-checkout apparatus 100 includes a CPU(central processing section) 21, a ROM (read-only memory) 22, a RAM(random-access memory) 23, a fixed scanner 24, a printer 25, a cardreader writer 26, a human sensor 27, a coin paying and receiving unit28, a coin sensor 29, a bill paying and receiving unit 30, and a billsensor 31 besides the measuring units 2 and 3, the touch panel 10, thehandy scanner 12, and the patrol lamp 20. The CPU 21, the ROM 22, theRAM 23, the fixed scanner 24, the printer 25, the card reader writer 26,the human sensor 27, the coin paying and receiving unit 28, the coinsensor 29, the bill paying and receiving unit 30, and the bill sensor 31are housed in the main body 1. The measuring units 2 and 3, the touchpanel 10, the handy scanner 12, the CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, thefixed scanner 24, the printer 25, the card reader writer 26, the coinpaying and receiving unit 28, the coin sensor 29, and the bill payingand receiving unit 30 are connected via a communication system 32including a system bus.

The CPU 21, the ROM 22, and the RAM 23 configure a computer connected bythe communication system 32 to control the self-checkout apparatus 100.

The CPU 21 is equivalent to a principal portion of the computer. The CPU21 controls the sections in order to realize various functions of theself-checkout apparatus 100 on the basis of an operating system andapplication programs stored in the ROM 22.

The ROM 22 is equivalent to a main storage portion of the computer. TheROM 22 stores the operating system and the application programs. One ofthe application programs is a control program for control processingexplained below. The ROM 22 sometimes stores data referred to by the CPU21 in performing various kinds of processing.

The RAM 23 is equivalent to the main storage portion of the computer.The RAM 23 stores data referred to by the CPU 21 in performing thevarious kinds of processing. Further, the RAM 23 is used as a so-calledwork area in which data temporarily used by the CPU 21 in performing thevarious kinds of processing is stored.

The fixed scanner 24 picks up an image of a commodity held in front ofthe scanner window 11 and then identifies, with image processing, abarcode displayed on the commodity. The fixed scanner 24 outputsinformation represented by the identified barcode to the CPU 21 . Notethat, as the fixed scanner 24, well-known devices of other types thatidentify a barcode making use of reflection of a laser beam can also beused.

The printer 25 includes a receipt printer and a journal printer. Thereceipt printer prints various kinds of information on a receipt sheetto thereby issue various vouchers. The various vouchers are a receiptshowing content and the like of commercial transaction, an untakenarticle slip explained below, and the like. The vouchers issued by thereceipt printer are discharged from the receipt issue port 13 to theoutside of the main body 1. The journal printer prints, on a journalsheet, journal data including information printed on the receipt sheetby the receipt printer. The journal sheet is retained on the inside ofthe main body 1 as long as the journal sheet is not taken out by amaintenance person.

The card reader writer 26 reads data recorded in a card inserted intothe card insertion port 14 by the shopper. The card reader writer 26writes data into the card. The card is a point card, an IC card foradjustment, or the like. The card reader writer 26 discharges the cardsubjected to necessary processing from the card insertion port 14 to theoutside of the main body 1. The card insertion port 14 holds the card tobe discharged in a state in which a part of the card is projected to theoutside of the main body 1.

The human sensor 27 detects the presence of a person located to beopposed to the self-checkout apparatus 100. Therefore, the human sensor27 is an example of a person detecting section. As the human sensor 27,well-known sensors of an infrared type and the like can be used.

The coin paying and receiving unit 28 stores coins taken into the insideof the main body 1 from the opening 15 a of the coin input tray 15. Thecoin paying and receiving unit 28 includes a discharging unit 28 a. Thedischarging unit 28 a discharges coins serving as change to the changetray 16. Therefore, the discharging unit 28 a is an example of adischarge mechanism.

The coin sensor 29 detects coins discharged to the reject tray 17. Asthe coin sensor 29, it is possible to use various well-known devicessuch as a device that detects a magnetic field change due to approach ofa coin and a device that detects presence or absence of blocking of anoptical path by a coin. The coin sensor 29 is an example of an articledetecting section.

The bill paying and receiving unit 30 stores bills inserted from thebill insertion port 18. The bill paying and receiving unit 30 includes adischarging unit 30 a. The discharging unit 30 a discharges billsserving as change from the bill discharge port 19. Therefore, thedischarging unit 30 a is an example of the discharge mechanism.

The bill sensor 31 detects bills held by the bill discharge port 19. Asthe bill sensor 31, it is possible to use various well-known devicessuch as a device that detects a magnetic field change due to approach ofa bill and a device that detects presence or absence of blocking of anoptical path by a bill. The bill sensor 31 is an example of the articledetecting section.

The operation of the self-checkout apparatus 100 configured as explainedabove is explained.

If the self-checkout apparatus 100 is in an operating state, the CPU 21waits for various instructions to be given to the CPU 21. If operationfor instructing implementation of accounting concerning a commercialtransaction is performed, for example, on the touch panel 10, the CPU 21starts, in response to the operation, control processing according tothe control program stored in the ROM 22. Note that content ofprocessing explained below is an example. Various kinds of processingcapable of obtaining the same result can be used as appropriate.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control processing by the CPU 21.

In Act 1, the CPU 21 performs registration processing for registering apurchased commodity. Specifically, the CPU 21 waits for registrationoperation by the operator to be performed. The registration operationis, for example, an operation for holding the purchased commodity infront of the scanner window 11, an operation for bringing the handyscanner 12 close to a barcode displayed on the purchased commodity, oran operation for touching the touch panel 10 in order to designate thepurchased commodity.

If the purchased commodity is held in front of the scanner window 11,the fixed scanner 24 recognizes, with image processing, the barcodedisplayed on the purchased commodity and sends information representedby the barcode to the CPU 21. If the handy scanner 12 is brought closeto the barcode, the handy scanner 12 identifies the barcode and sendsthe information represented by the barcode to the CPU 21. If anoperation for touching the touch panel 10 is performed in order todesignate the purchased commodity, the touch panel 10 sends positioninformation concerning a touch position to the CPU 21.

The CPU 21 determines, as a commodity code of the purchased commodity, acommodity code included in the information sent from the fixed scanner24 or the handy scanner 12 or a commodity code associated with the touchposition sent from the touch panel 10. The CPU 21 updates information ina commodity list area set in the RAM 23 in order to add the commodityidentified by the commodity code to a list of purchased commodities.

If registration of all purchased commodities is finished and operationfor instructing implementation of accounting processing is performed,for example, on the touch panel 10, the CPU 21 ends the registrationprocessing and proceeds to Act 2.

In Act 2, the CPU 21 performs the accounting processing. Specifically,the CPU 21 calculates a settlement amount that should be settled forpurchase of all the registered purchased commodities. The CPU 21 settlesthe calculated settlement amount using a settlement method designated bythe operator out of a plurality of settlement methods. As the settlementmethod, it is possible to appropriately use various settlement methodsfor using cash, a credit card, a debit card, a prepaid card, electronicmoney, points, notes, and the like. The CPU 21 executes the controlprocessing based on the control program in this way, whereby thecomputer including the CPU 21 as the principal portion functions as asettling section.

In Act 3, the CPU 21 checks whether change is paid as a result of thesettlement processing. If determining Yes because change is paid, theCPU 21 proceeds to Act 4.

In Act 4, the CPU 21 determines payment amounts for respectivedenominations on the basis of a change amount calculated in theaccounting processing. The CPU 21 instructs the coin paying andreceiving unit 28 to discharge the payment amount of coins and instructsthe bill paying and receiving unit 30 to discharge the payment amount ofbills. In response to the instruction, the coin paying and receivingunit 28 and the bill paying and receiving unit 30 respectively drive thedischarging unit 28 a and the discharging unit 30 a to discharge thecoins and the bills as the change. The discharged coins and bills areheld by the change tray 16 and the bill discharge port 19. In this way,if the coin paying and receiving unit 28 discharges the coins, the coinsensor 29 detects the coins. If the bill paying and receiving unit 30discharges the bills, the bill sensor 31 detects the bills. The CPU 21executes the control processing based on the control program in thisway, whereby the computer including the CPU 21 as the principal portionfunctions as a discharge control section. A function of a dischargesection is realized by cooperation of the discharging unit 28 a and thedischarging unit 30 a and the CPU 21.

In Act 5, the CPU 21 checks whether the change discharged as explainedabove remains in the change tray 16 or the bill discharge port 19. Ifthe coin sensor 29 or the bill sensor 31 detects the coins or the bills,the CPU 21 determines Yes and proceeds to Act 6.

In Act 6, the CPU 21 checks whether a prescribed time elapses after thechange is discharged. If determining No because the prescribed time doesnot elapse yet, the CPU 21 returns to Act 5. It is assumed that theprescribed time is, for example, 60 seconds. However, the prescribedtime may be optional. The prescribed time may be set by, for example, adesigner of the self-checkout apparatus 100 or an administrator of theself-checkout apparatus 100.

In this way, in Act 5 and Act 6, the CPU 21 waits for the prescribedtime to elapse in a state in which the change remains. If determiningYes in Act 6 because the prescribed time elapses, the CPU 21 proceeds toAct 7.

In Act 7, the CPU 21 checks whether the operator is opposed to theself-checkout apparatus 100. If the human sensor 27 is in a detectingstate, the CPU 21 determines Yes and proceeds to Act 8.

In Act 8, the CPU 21 checks whether the change remains in the changetray 16 or the bill discharge port 19. If the coin sensor 29 or the billsensor 31 detects coins or bills, the CPU 21 determines Yes and returnsto Act 7.

In this way, in Act 7 and Act 8, the CPU 21 waits for the operator toleave the front of the self-checkout apparatus 100 or all the change tobe removed.

If the human sensor 27 is in an un-detecting state, the CPU 21determines No in Act 7 and proceeds to Act 9. In this way, if theoperator leaves the front of the self-checkout apparatus 100 whileleaving the change behind before the prescribed time elapses after thechange is discharged or after the prescribed time elapses after thechange is discharged, the CPU 21 proceeds to Act 9.

In Act 9, the CPU 21 instructs the printer 25 to print an untakenarticle slip. Specifically, the CPU 21 generates an image shown on theuntaken article slip and gives the image to the printer 25. The printer25 prints the image given from the CPU 21 on a receipt sheet with thereceipt printer and discharges the receipt sheet from the receipt issueport 13.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an untaken article slip 40.

The untaken article slip 40 includes a region 41, a region 42, and aregion 43.

The region 41 shows a sentence for informing a situation of untakenchange. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the region 41 shows a sentencefor informing that only coins of the change are left untaken. Whenproceeding to Act 9, if the coin sensor 29 detects coins and the billsensor 31 does not detect bills, the CPU 21 displays the sentence shownin FIG. 5 in the region 41. When proceeding to Act 9, if the coin sensor29 does not detect coins and the bill sensor 31 detects bills, the CPU21 displays, in the region 41, a sentence such as “Concerning thetransaction described below, bills of change are left untaken”. Whenproceeding to Act 9, if the coin sensor 29 and the bill sensor 31 detectboth of coins and bills, the CPU 21 displays, in the region 41, asentence such as “Concerning the transaction described below, both ofcoins and bills of change are left untaken”.

The region 42 shows content of a transaction in which change is leftuntaken. What kind of information in information representing thecontent of the transaction is displayed in the region 42 is optional.The information displayed in the region 42 may be decided by, forexample, the designer of the self-checkout apparatus 100 or theadministrator of the self-checkout apparatus 100. In the example shownin FIG. 5, information for specifying the transaction in which change isleft untaken such as a transaction number, a register number, atransaction date and time, and a list of purchased commodities isdisplayed in the region 42.

The region 43 shows a result of accounting. What kind of information ininformation representing the result of the accounting is displayed inthe region 43 is optional. The information displayed in the region 43may be decided by, for example, the designer of the self-checkoutapparatus 100 or the administrator of the self-checkout apparatus 100.In the example shown in FIG. 5, a settlement amount, a consumption taxamount, a deposit amount, a change amount, and respective amounts ofbills and coins of change are displayed in the region 43.

As explained above, the untaken article slip 40 is a voucher for makingit possible to confirm afterwards that change, which is an example of anarticle, remains even if a prescribed time elapses after discharge. TheCPU 21 executes the control processing based on the control program inthis way, whereby the computer including the CPU 21 as the principalportion functions as a processing section.

In Act 10, the CPU 21 starts a warning operation. The warning operationis an operation for informing the store clerk that change is leftuntaken. The warning operation is, for example, flashing of the patrollamp 20. The warning operation may be an output of warning sound ornotification to other terminals. The warning operation may include aplurality of operations. In this way, the patrol lamp 20 is an exampleof an operating section that performs an alarming operation.

In Act 11, the CPU 21 checks whether change remains in the change tray16 or the bill discharge port 19. If the coin sensor 29 or the billsensor 31 detects coins or bills, the CPU 21 determines Yes and repeatsAct 11. In this way, in Act 11, the CPU 21 waits for the untaken changeto be removed.

For example, if the store clerk in charge of monitoring of theself-checkout apparatus 100 recognizes, for example, according to thewarning operation that the change is left untaken, the store clerkremoves the untaken change and stores the change together with theuntaken article slip.

If the change is removed in this way, both of the coin sensor 29 and thebill sensor 31 do not detect coins and bills. Consequently, the CPU 21determines No in act 11 and proceeds to Act 12.

In Act 12, the CPU 21 stops the warning operation started in Act 10.Consequently, the CPU 21 ends the control processing shown in FIG. 4.

Note that the CPU 21 omits other kinds of processing and ends theprocessing shown in FIG. 4 in any one of cases (1) to (3) describedbelow. (1) The CPU 21 determines No in Act 3 because change is not paidas a result of the accounting processing in Act 2. (2) In the waitingstate in Act 5 and Act 6, the CPU 21 determines No in Act 5 because bothof the coin sensor 29 and the bill sensor 31 do not detect coins andbills before the prescribed time elapses. (3) In the waiting state inAct 7 and Act 8, the CPU 21 determines No in Act 8 because both of thecoin sensor 29 and the bill sensor 31 do not detect coins and billsbefore the human sensor 27 changes to the un-detecting state.

As explained above, if the change is not removed from the change tray 16or the bill discharge port 19 for the prescribed time, the self-checkoutapparatus 100 is sues the untaken article slip. Therefore, the storeclerk in charge of the monitoring of the self-checkout apparatus 100 canconfirm afterwards, by storing the untaken change together with theuntaken article slip, in which transaction the untaken change is leftuntaken. Therefore, the store clerk does not need to write a memorandum.It is possible to reduce labor of management of the untaken change.

The self-checkout apparatus 100 shows, on the untaken article slip, thecontent of the transaction in which the change is left untaken.Therefore, the store clerk can check, by, for example, collating contentof a transaction described on a receipt carried by the shopper orcontent of a transaction claimed by a shopper, genuineness of theshopper who claims the untaken change later.

The self-checkout apparatus 100 performs the warning operation accordingto the issuance of the untaken article slip. Therefore, the store clerkcan quickly remove the untaken change and the untaken article slip fromthe self-checkout apparatus 100 and manage both of the untaken changeand the untaken article slip.

Even if the change is not removed from the change tray 16 or the billdischarge port 19 for the prescribed time, the self-checkout apparatus100 does not issue the untaken article slip while the operator isdetected by the human sensor 27. The self-checkout apparatus 100 issuesthe untaken article slip if the operator is not detected by the humansensor 27. Therefore, the untaken article slip is not issued by mistakeif taking-out of change is delayed because, for example, a shopper isslow in taking out the change but the shopper does not seem to forget totake the change.

The self-checkout apparatus 100 creates the untaken article slip byprinting the necessary information on the receipt sheet with the receiptprinter included in the printer 25. Therefore, information shown on theuntaken article slip is also printed on the journal sheet by the journalprinter and stored. Therefore, for example, even if the untaken articleslip is lost, it is possible to check afterwards concerning whichtransaction the change is left untaken.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment is explained below with reference to the drawings.Note that, in the second embodiment, a self-checkout system including aself-checkout apparatus including a function of a settlement apparatusand an attendant apparatus including a function of a managementapparatus is explained as an example.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main part circuit configuration of aself-checkout system 200. Note that, in FIG. 6, parts same as the partsshown in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals andsigns. Detailed explanation of the parts is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the self-checkout system 200 includes aself-checkout apparatus 210 and an attendant apparatus 220. Theself-checkout apparatus 210 and the attendant apparatus 220 are capableof communicating via a network 300. The network 300 may be any networkif the network enables information communication between theself-checkout apparatus 210 and the attendant apparatus 220. However,typically, the network 300 is a LAN (local area network).

The self-checkout apparatus 210 is operated by a shopper to performvarious kinds of processing for checkout in a store. The attendantapparatus 220 is operated by a store clerk in the store to performvarious kinds of processing for, for example, support of the operationof the self-checkout apparatus 210 by the shopper and monitoring of anoperation state of the self-checkout apparatus 210.

The self-checkout apparatus 210 includes the measuring units 2 and 3,the touch panel 10, the handy scanner 12, the patrol lamp 20, the CPU21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, the fixed scanner 24, the printer 25, thecard reader writer 26, the human sensor 27, the coin sensor 29, the billsensor 31, a coin paying and receiving unit 33, a bill paying andreceiving unit 34, and a communication unit 35. The measuring units 2and 3, the touch panel 10, the handy scanner 12, the CPU 21, the ROM 22,the RAM 23, the fixed scanner 24, the printer 25, the card reader writer26, the coin sensor 29, the coin paying and receiving unit 33, the billpaying and receiving unit 34, and the communication unit 35 areconnected via the communication system 32.

That is, the self-checkout apparatus 210 includes a configuration inwhich the coin paying and receiving unit 33 and the bill paying andreceiving unit 34 are provided instead of the coin paying and receivingunit 28 and the bill paying and receiving unit 30 in the self-checkoutapparatus 100 in the first embodiment and the communication unit 35 isadded.

The coin paying and receiving unit 33 is obtained by additionallyproviding a collecting unit 33 a in the coin paying and receiving unit28. The collecting unit 33 a includes a moving mechanism that moves amovable member forming a bottom portion of the change tray 16 and a coincollection box that receives coins dropping from the change tray 16 ifthe movable member is in an open state.

The bill paying and receiving unit 34 includes a discharging andcollecting unit 34 a instead of the discharging unit 30 a in the billpaying and receiving unit 30. The discharging and collecting unit 34 adischarges bills serving as change from the bill discharge port 19. Thedischarging and collecting unit 34 a includes a bill collection box,draws in bills held by the bill discharge port 19, collects the bills inthe bill collection box. Note that one collection box may be used asboth of the coin collection box and the bill collection box.

The communication unit 35 performs data communication via the network300. If the network 300 is a LAN, a well-known communication deviceadapted to the LAN can be used as the communication unit 35.

The attendant apparatus 220 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, atouch panel 54, a printer 55, and a communication unit 56. The CPU 51,the ROM 52, the RAM 53, the touch panel 54, the printer 55, and thecommunication unit 56 are connected via a communication system 57including a system bus.

The CPU 51, the ROM 52, and the RAM 53 are connected by thecommunication system 57 to configure a computer for controlling theattendant apparatus 220.

The CPU 51 is equivalent to a principal portion of the computer. The CPU51 controls the sections in order to realize various functions of theattendant apparatus 220 on the basis of an operating system andapplication programs stored in the ROM 52.

The ROM 52 is equivalent to a main storage portion of the computer. TheROM 52 stores the operating system and the application programs. One ofthe application programs is a control program for control processingexplained below. Note that the control program is different from thecontrol program in the first embodiment. The ROM 52 sometimes storesdata referred to by the CPU 51 in performing various kinds ofprocessing.

The RAM 53 is equivalent to the main storage portion of the computer.The RAM 53 stores data referred to by the CPU 51 in performing thevarious kinds of processing. Further, the RAM 53 is used as a so-calledwork area in which data temporarily used by the CPU 51 in performing thevarious kinds of processing is stored.

The touch panel 54 displays various screens for informing the storeclerk of various kinds of information. A part of the various screensconfigures a GUI. The touch panel 54 receives touch operation foroperation of the GUI.

The printer 55 issues various vouchers by printing various kinds ofinformation on a print sheet.

The communication unit 56 performs data communication via the network300. As the communication unit 56, if the network 300 is a LAN, awell-known communication device adapted to the LAN can be used.

The operation of the self-checkout system 200 configured as explainedabove is explained.

If the self-checkout apparatus 210 is in an operating state, the CPU 21waits for various instructions to be given to the CPU 21. If operationfor instructing implementation of accounting concerning a commercialtransaction is performed, for example, on the touch panel 10, the CPU 21starts, in response to the operation, control processing according tothe control program stored in the ROM 22. Note that content ofprocessing explained below is an example. Various kinds of processingcapable of obtaining the same result can be used as appropriate.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the control processing by the CPU 21. Note thatacts same as the acts shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same referencesigns. Detailed explanation of the acts is omitted.

In Act 1 to Act 8, the CPU 21 executes the processing in the same manneras in the first embodiment.

If the CPU 21 is in the waiting state in Act 7 and Act 8, the CPU 21determines No in Act 7 and proceeds to Act 21 if the human sensor 27changes to the un-detecting state. In this way, if the operator leavesthe front of the self-checkout apparatus 210 while leaving the changebehind before the prescribed time elapses after the change is dischargedor after the prescribed time elapses after the change is discharged, theCPU 21 proceeds to Act 21.

In Act 21, the CPU 21 collects the remaining change. Specifically, ifthe coin sensor 29 detects coins, the CPU 21 drives the collecting unit33 a to collect the coins remaining in the change tray 16. If the billsensor 31 detects bills, the CPU 21 drives the discharging andcollecting unit 34 a to collect the bills held by the bill dischargeport 19.

In Act 22, the CPU 21 performs untaken article notification to theattendant apparatus 220. The untaken article notification isnotification for causing the attendant apparatus 220 to issue an untakenarticle slip. Specifically, the CPU 21 controls the communication unit35 to transmit notification information of a predetermined form for theuntaken article notification to the network 300 while addressing thenotification information to the attendant apparatus 220. The CPU 21includes, in the notification information, information that should beshown on the untaken article slip or image data indicating an imagerepresenting the untaken article slip. Consequently, the CPU 21 ends thecontrol processing shown in FIG. 7. The CPU 21 executes the controlprocessing based on the control program in this way, whereby a functionof a notifying section is realized by cooperation of the computerincluding the CPU 21 as the principal portion and the communication unit35.

On the other hand, if the attendant apparatus 220 is in a normaloperation state, the CPU 51 executes, according to the control programstored in the ROM 52, control processing for coping with notificationfrom the self-checkout apparatus 210.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the control processing by the CPU 51.

In Act 31, the CPU 51 checks whether the untaken article notification isperformed. If the untaken article notification is not performed, the CPU51 determines No and proceeds to Act 32.

In Act 32, the CPU 51 checks whether another notification different fromthe untaken article notification is performed. If the relevantnotification is not performed, the CPU 51 determines No and returns toAct 31.

In this way, in Act 31 and Act 32, the CPU 51 waits for the untakenarticle notification or another notification to be performed. Ifdetermining Yes in Act 32 because another notification different fromthe untaken article notification is received by the communication unit56, the CPU 51 shifts to processing corresponding to the notification.Explanation of the processing performed at this point is omitted.

If the notification information is transmitted to the attendantapparatus 220 via the network 300, in the attendant apparatus 220, thecommunication unit 56 receives the notification information. If theuntaken article notification is performed in this way, the CPU 51determines Yes in Act 31 and proceeds to Act 33.

In Act 33, the CPU 51 instructs the printer 55 to print the untakenarticle slip. Specifically, if information that should be shown on theuntaken article slip is included in the notification information for theuntaken article notification, the CPU 51 generates an image representingthese kinds of information and gives the image to the printer 55. Ifimage data is included in the notification information for the untakenarticle notification, the CPU 51 gives an image indicated by the imagedata to the printer 55. The printer 55 prints the image given from theCPU 51 on a sheet and discharges the sheet. Consequently, the untakenarticle slip is issued in the attendant apparatus 220. The CPU 51executes the control processing based on the control program in thisway, whereby the computer including the CPU 51 as the principal portionfunctions as a processing section.

In Act 34, the CPU 51 starts a warning operation. The warning operationis an operation for informing the store clerk that the untaken articleslip is issued. The warning operation is, for example, display of amessage on the touch panel 54. Alternatively, the warning operation isan output of buzzer sound, chime sound, or the like by a not-shown soundemitting device. The warning operation may be any other operation or mayinclude a plurality of operations.

In Act 35, the CPU 51 checks whether operation for checking issuance ofthe untaken article slip is performed. If the relevant operation is notperformed, the CPU 51 determines No and repeats Act 35. In this way, inAct 35, the CPU 51 waits for the check operation to be performed.

For example, if a store clerk who monitors the self-checkout apparatus210 using the attendant apparatus 220 recognizes that, for example, theuntaken article slip is issued according to the warning operation, thestore clerk stores the untaken article slip. Then, the store clerkperforms check operation.

If the check operation is performed in this way, the CPU 51 determinesYes in Act 35 and proceeds to Act 36.

In Act 36, the CPU 51 stops the warning operation started in Act 34.Consequently the CPU 51 returns to the waiting state in Act 31 and Act32.

In this way, with the self-checkout system 200, the store clerk whomonitors the self-checkout apparatus 210 using the attendant apparatus220 can recognize that change is left untaken in the attendant apparatus220 without moving to the self-checkout apparatus 210. Consequently, thestore clerk can easily and quickly recognize that the change is leftuntaken

With the self-checkout system 200, the untaken change is automaticallycollected by the collecting unit 33 a and the discharging and collectingunit 34 a. Therefore, the store clerk does not need to move to theself-checkout apparatus 210 and can manage the untaken change only bystoring the untaken article slip.

Various modified implementations described below of the embodiments arepossible.

In the embodiments, by applying this application to a self-checkoutapparatus including a function of managing, in time series, imagesobtained by picking up images of states of the operator with a camera,it is possible to easily specify, on the basis of information shown onthe untaken article slip, an image in which a shopper who forgets totake change appears.

In the embodiments, as the processing for making it possible to checkthe untaken article afterwards, for example, processing described belowmay be applied instead of the printing of the untaken article slip.

-   (1) Information same as the information shown on the untaken article    slip is printed only on a journal sheet.-   (2) The information shown on the untaken article slip is stored in a    storage medium without being printed on any sheet. In this case, the    storage medium may be a storage medium provided in the self-checkout    apparatus or may be a storage medium provided in an external server    or the like.-   (3) In the case of a self-checkout apparatus adapted to a well-known    electronic receipt service, the untaken article may be notified to,    via an electronic receipt server, an information terminal registered    in advance owned by a shopper.

In the embodiments, this application can also be applied to a settlementapparatus of another form such as a settlement apparatus in asemi-self-type checkout system.

In the embodiments, the article is not limited to money serving aschange and may be various cards such as a credit card and an electronicmoney card.

In the embodiments, transfer of the self-checkout apparatus 100 or 210or the attendant apparatus 220 to a user is performed in a state inwhich the control program is stored in the ROM 22 or 52. However, theself-checkout apparatus 100 or 210 or the attendant apparatus 220 may betransferred to the user in a state in which the control program is notstored in the ROM 22 or 52 and the control program may be transferred tothe user while being recorded in a removable recording medium or via anetwork. In this case, for example, according to operation by the user,the control program is written in the RAM 23 or 53 or a separatelyprovided auxiliary storage unit such as a HDD (hard disk drive). As theremovable recording medium, it is possible to use a magnetic disk, amagneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or thelike.

In the first embodiment, the coin paying and receiving unit 33 may beprovided instead of the coin paying and receiving unit 28. The billpaying and receiving unit 34 may be provided instead of the bill payingand receiving unit 30.

In the second embodiment, the coin paying and receiving unit 28 may beprovided instead of the coin paying and receiving unit 33. The billpaying and receiving unit 30 may be provided instead of the bill payingand receiving unit 34. In this case, it is desirable that theself-checkout apparatus 210 notifies the attendant apparatus 220 of theremoval of the change and, instead of Act 35, it is determined whetherthe notification is performed.

In the second embodiment, the processing for making it possible to checkthe untaken article afterwards can also be carried out in an apparatusother than the attendant apparatus 220 such as a registration apparatusin a semi-self-type checkout system, an information terminal set in aservice counter, or an information terminal carried by the store clerk.

The several embodiments are explained above. However, the embodimentsare presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other variousforms. Various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be performedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodimentsand modifications of the embodiments are included in the scope and thegist of the invention and included in the inventions described in claimsand the scope of equivalents of the inventions.

The invention described in the claims of this application as originallyfiled is described below.

(Supplementary Item 1) A settlement apparatus including:

a settling section configured to perform settlement processing forsettlement concerning a commercial transaction;

a discharging section configured to discharge a prescribed article to areceiving section after the settlement processing by the settlingsection is completed;

an article detecting section configured to detect remaining of thearticle in the receiving section; and

a processing section configured to, if the article detecting sectiondetects the remaining of the article at a point in time when aprescribed time elapses after the article is discharged by thedischarging section, perform a predetermined processing for enablingconfirmation of the detection afterwards.

(Supplementary Item 2) The apparatus according to Supplementary Item 1,wherein the processing section print a voucher for verifying that thearticle remained in the receiving section is an untaken article.

(Supplementary Item 3) The apparatus according to Supplementary Item 1,

further including a person detecting section configured to detectpresence of a person located to be opposed to the settlement apparatus,

wherein the processing section does not perform the predeterminedprocessing while the presence of the person is detected by the persondetecting section even if the prescribed time elapses.

(Supplemental Item 4) A control program causing a computer that controlsa settlement apparatus including a discharging mechanism configured todischarge a prescribed article to a receiving section, and an articledetecting section configured to detect remaining of the article in thereceiving section to function as:

a settling section configured to perform settlement processing forsettlement concerning a commercial transaction;

a discharge control section configured to control the dischargingmechanism to discharge the prescribed article to the receiving sectionafter the settlement processing by the settling section is completed;and

a processing section configured to, if the article detecting sectiondetects the remaining of the article at a point in time when aprescribed time elapses after the article is discharged by the dischargecontrol section, perform a predetermined processing for enablingconfirmation of the detection afterward.

(Supplementary Item 5) A checkout system including a settlementapparatus and a management apparatus, wherein

the settlement apparatus includes:

a settling section configured to perform settlement processing forsettlement concerning a commercial transaction;

a discharging section configured to discharge a prescribed article to areceiving section after the settlement processing by the settlingsection is completed;

an article detecting section configured to detect remaining of thearticle in the receiving section; and

a notifying section configured to notify, if the article detectingsection detects the remaining of the article at a point in time when aprescribed time elapses after the article is discharged by thedischarging section, the management apparatus to that effect, and

the management apparatus includes a processing section configured toperform, in response to reception of the notification by the notifyingsection, a predetermined processing for enabling confirmation afterwardthat the article is untaken.

What is claimed is:
 1. A checkout system comprising a settlementapparatus and a management apparatus, wherein the settlement apparatuscomprises: a settling section configured to perform settlementprocessing for settlement concerning a commercial transaction; adischarging section configured to discharge a prescribed article to areceiving section concerning the settlement processing by the settlingsection; an article detecting section configured to detect remaining ofthe article in the receiving section; and a notifying section configuredto notify, if the article detecting section detects the remaining of thearticle at a point in time when a prescribed time elapses after thearticle is discharged by the discharging section, the managementapparatus to that effect, and the management apparatus comprises arecording section configured to record, in response to reception of thenotification by the notifying section, information indicating thearticle in association with identification information for identifyingthe commercial transaction.
 2. The checkout system according to claim 1,the settlement apparatus further comprising a person detecting sectionconfigured to detect presence of a person located to be opposed to thesettlement apparatus, wherein the recording section does not perform therecording while the presence of the person is detected by the persondetecting section even if the prescribed time elapses.
 3. The checkoutsystem according to claim 1, wherein the recording section controls aprinter to print the identification information and the informationindicating the article on a sheet.
 4. The checkout system according toclaim 1, wherein the recording section causes a storage medium to storethe identification information and the information indicating thearticle in association with each other.
 5. The checkout system accordingto claim 1, wherein the article is change.
 6. The checkout systemaccording to claim 5, wherein the information indicating the article isinformation indicating which of a coin or a bill of the change remains.7. The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to operate a patrol lamp after the paper has beenprinted.
 8. The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein thecheckout system is a semi-self-type checkout system.
 9. The checkoutsystem according to claim 1, wherein the checkout system is a selfcheckout system.